Humanetics, maker of of anti-radiation drug, sees bigger market: Humanetics Corp., a biotech firm that’s developing a drug to protect soldiers and civilians from nuclear fallout, now plans to enter the general medicine market. Officials at the Eden Prairie-based company say a drug they’re developing, BIO 300, may partially protect patients who are over-exposed to radiation from repeated CT scans. The firm already has spent years researching the drug’s potential to combat acute-radiation syndrome caused by nuclear explosions or severe radiation releases, with plans to sell it to the military and, eventually, civilians. Read full story

Medica launches research institute: Medica has launched a nonprofit research institute designed to study questions in the health care industry that affect innovation. Examples include research into comparative effectiveness and clinical trial studies. The health insurance company is  based in Minnetonka and has about 1.5 million members in the Upper Midwest. Read full story

Target’s CEO reportedly fighting clinic in Orono: Target Corp. CEO and Chairman Gregg Steinhafel is fighting plans made by an eating-disorder clinic to open a facility across the street from his home in Orono, Minn., according to a report in the Star Tribune. The Emily Program, a St. Paul nonprofit, is attempting to turn the former two-story Hill School in Crystal Bay into an in-patient treatment facility. Read full story

Starkey Labs partners with SpongeBob: Starkey Laboratories has announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products to launch co-branded pediatric hearing aids. The earmolds specifically created for children up to age 13 will feature characters from Nickelodeon’s most popular TV shows, including “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “iCarly,” “Go, Diego, Go!” and “Dora the Explorer.” Read full story